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Super League clubs are set to queue up for Todd Carney’s signature after the troubled halfback was today sacked by Canberra and deregistered by the NRL.
Carney, 22, was left “shocked and shattered” today after the Raiders tore up his four-year contract having finally had enough of his off-field misdemeanors.
Shortly after the club announced his sacking, NRL chief executive David Gallop confirmed Carney would be de-registered until at least 2010, meaning no NRL club can sign him in 2009.
Despite suggestions Gallop could attempt to have the deregistration honoured in the English Super League as well, the NRL boss was resigned to the fact Carney would the join the exodus of talent moving overseas.
“There’s no doubt he’s a quality player but he’s let himself down and he’s certainly let the Raiders down – they’ve given him any number of chances,” Gallop said today.
“If he ends up playing in Super League or in Europe, so be it.”
Considered one of the NRL’s brightest young talents, Carney is expected to have no trouble securing a contract abroad.
English club Salford and Welsh side Celtic Crusaders, who will both join the Super League from next season, are among the clubs already reportedly interested in signing him.
Carney’s final miscalculation came last Saturday night when he was part of a group that was ejected from a Goulburn club.
Carney had already been suspended indefinitely by the club after a complaint that he had urinated on a person while out drinking at Canberra pub All Bar Nun.
While that complaint was withdrawn, the aura of poor behaviour clung to him, partly because of his involvement in a 2007 police chase and the subsequent 200 hours of community service he was ordered to undertake.
He had already had his licence suspended because of drink driving prior to the car chase.
The Raiders last week drew up a five-point ultimatum for Carney to remain at the club – which included an alcohol ban and counselling – but that offer was taken off the table today.
“The board decided they had had enough,” Raiders chief executive Don Furner told reporters.
“The board met and discussed Todd with his manager and Todd was granted his request to put his case to the board.
“Regrettably they (the board) chose to terminate his contract.”
A grim faced, pin-stripe suited Carney then fronted reporters with his manager David Riolo.
“I’m not happy with the outcome,” Riolo said before admitting Carney needed to understand the consequences of his behaviour.
“I’m disappointed for Todd but there were circumstances that have happened and Todd’s got to realise and understand as well that he has been involved in some incidents.”
Carney let Riolo do most of the talking but admitted it was a tough decision to accept.
“I’m pretty shocked and shattered,” Carney said.
“I guess I didn’t know that was going to be the outcome today and now I know I just have to stay on my feet and work out where my future lies now.”
While the Raiders have axed Carney as a player the club has not severed ties completely.
“The club is willing to assist Todd through his rehabilitation including funding for any counseling services or rehabilitation plan,” Furner said.
Gallop said both the club and the NRL had “no choice” but to take action against Carney but he did not close the door on him making a return to the NRL if he changed his ways.
“There would be an inherent unfairness in him walking out on the field against the Raiders for the 2009 season,” Gallop said of the decision to deregister Carney, who was linked with Penrith earlier this year.
“A player with the number of incidents he’s had, there’s really no option but to say `no registration for him in 2009 in our comp.’
“Certainly if he can demonstrate he’s made inroads into his problems, then we would consider registration for 2010.”
Strife and times of Canberra Raiders NRL star Todd Carney who was today sacked by the club:
June 2004: Makes NRL debut for Raiders just two weeks after his 18th birthday.
December 06: Charged with mid-range drink driving and reckless driving following an incident in Goulburn.
January 07: Faces court over Goulburn incident.
February 07: Licence suspended for five years.
May 07: Carney and fellow Raiders player Steve Irwin lead police on a car chase through Canberra’s streets before Carney abandons the car and flees.
May 07: Carney hands himself into police the morning after the chase.
May 07: Raiders put Carney on a rehabilitation plan.
June 07: Handed 200 hours community service for pursuit and driving while his licence was suspended.
March 08: Signs four-year deal worth an estimated $400,000 a season to remain with the Raiders.
May 08: Stars in his representative debut for Country Origin.
July 08: Allegedly urinates on a patron at a Canberra pub, though complaint is eventually withdrawn. Stood down indefinitely by Raiders.
Aug 08: Handed a non-negotiable five-point rehabilitation plan which includes clause stating he cannot play again this season and must go on an alcohol ban until the end of 2012.
Aug 08: Carney writes an open letter claiming he should be allowed to play this season.
Aug 08: Whilst suspended by the club, allegedly evicted from Goulburn club following involvement in a verbal altercation.
Aug 08: Has contract terminated by the Raiders with the NRL vowing not to register a contract with another NRL club for 2009.
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